S.S. Lazio will tonight provide Tottenham with a tough test for their dreams of securing the Europa League trophy that Villas-Boas has set his sights on to ignite his Tottenham “project”.
Lazio have won their opening three games of Serie A in impressive fashion. The video below of Lazio’s 3-0 thrashing demonstrates the technical ability of the Rome side. Mauro Zarate and Miraslov Klose are part of an impressive forward line and as an Italian side are very capable at the back also.
In recent years Lazio have lifted the Coppa Italia in the 2008-09 season and then followed that up with a Supercoppa Italiana in the following season. While the Europa League may be derided in England it is viewed as hugely important across the European leagues and there will be no doubt that S.S.Lazio will not field a second string side against a team that finished 4th in the Premier League last season.
Villas-Boas has stated his ambition of lifting Europa League as he seeks to emulate his success’ at FC Porto, an achievement he has admitted he cannot live off forever. The trophy would certainly be a step in the right direction for the new regime and will make good of Villas-Boas’ early season statement that he wants to put Spurs back on track with titles. It may not be the Champions League, but success breeds success and could prove to be the first step on a long and successful relationship between the young manager and the London side.
For the neutrals it will be an opportunity to sit back and enjoy a quality display of attacking and counter-attacking football. Despite the lack of respect afforded for the Europa League in England it is a hugely entertaining competition, and don’t rule out a highly charged and exciting game in the manner of Manchester United’s clashes with Bilbao last season.
Tomos Llewellyn
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